Past Department Commanders

Commander Jackson served four years in the United States Navy, enlisting at Newark, NJ on October 19, 1979, and was discharged at Philadelphia, PA on November 25, 1983. He attended Basic Training (BT) at Great Lakes, IL and was then stationed at Sun Oil Shipyard, Chester, PA. He was aboard the USS Portland and was involved in three MED cruises, a Humanitarian cruise (Caribbean), and a Unitas cruise (South America).           

He is a 29-year member of Mystic Island American Legion Post 493, Little Egg Harbor, Ocean County and will lead the State’s largest wartime VETERANS’ ORGANIZATION WITH A MEMBERSHIP OF APPROXIMATELY 35,000 for the next year. Commander Jackson has held several offices at the Post, County, and Department levels, including Post Commander, County Commander, Department Executive Committeeman, and Department Vice-Commander.

 An advocate for Veterans, he plans on bringing new ideas to the Department and getting younger Veterans involved, as noted by his slogan:

                       “Honoring Tradition” and “Embracing Our Future”

Commander Jackson has been married to his wife Debi for 44 years. They have two children, a son Eric and a daughter Darla, and one Granddaughter, Olivia. 

Larry Bishop, a resident of Sayreville, New Jersey, was elected New Jersey State Commander of The American Legion at its 104th Convention held in Wildwood, New Jersey on Friday, June 9th, 2023.

Commander Bishop served two years in the United States Army, being drafted April 24, 1969, and discharged April 23, 1971. He attended Basic Training (BT) and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Dix, New Jersey. He was assigned to For Myers, Virginia for six months and then to Fort Totten, New York in the United States Courier Service for the remainder of his duty.

He is a 35-year member of Sayreville American Legion Post 211, Sayreville, Middlesex County and will lead the State's largest wartime VETERANS' ORGANIZATION WITH A MEMBERSHIP OF APPROXIMATELY 35,000 for the next year. Commander Bishop has held several offices at the Post, County, and Department levels, including Post Commander, County Commander, Department Executive Committeeman, and Department Vice-Commander twice (2016-2017 / 2017-2018).

"VETERANS - WE'RE HERE FOR YOU!

STEVEN FISHER

"NO DEPTH IS TOO GREAT TO HELP OUR VETERANS!"

BIO:

Steven was born and raised in Philadelphia. He entered Active Duty in the United States Navy after graduating Saint John Neumann High School in 1989. He was stationed in Orlando, Florida and then Groton, Connecticut to complete his training. He then served onboard the U.S.S. Seahorse (SSN-669) stationed in Charleston, South Carolina as a FTG3 (SS) until November 1993 when he left Active Duty. Steven entered the United States Naval Reserve in January 1994. He served onboard the U.S.S. Monterey (CG-61), home port Mayport, Florida as a FT2 (SS) until the reserve unit was dissolved. He then continued his remaining reserve service attached to Hospital Security Group which operated out of Fort Dix.

Steven moved to New Jersey in 2001 and has worked for the Gloucester Township Public School District and the Gloucester County College in Technology. He has been in his current position as the Director of Campus Technology for the Gloucester County Special Services School District and the Gloucester County Vocational Technical School District since 2011.

Steven has been a member of The American Legion since 2004. He joined the Pine Hill American Legion Post 286 in 2005. He has served the Post in various 

positions such as Commander, Adjutant, and Judge Advocate. He also served on Post committees such as: Public Relations; Boys State; House; Golf; and Fundraising. 

Steven has attended the New Jersey American Legion College completing Basic, Advanced, Membership, Service Officer and Club Management.

Steven has served Camden County as: Commander from 2013 -2014; Service Officer in 2011 -2012; and as a Vice Commander from 2008 -2013. He has served on the following County Committees: Americanism 2008 - 2010; Boys State 2008 -2012; Children and Youth 2009 -2013; Testimonial 2015 -2021; Camden County Veterans Advisory Committee 2008 -Present; Convention 2015 - 2019; and Liaison to the Camden County Sons of The American Legion 2008 -2013.

Steven served as the Department Commander (2022 -2023). He served as Department Vice Commander 2014 -2015. He also served as Department Executive Committeeman for Camden County (2015-2022). 

He has served on various Department committees such as: Americanism 2008 -2010; Membership 2008 -2012; Retention 2014 -Present (Chairman); Boys State 2015 -Present (Trustee); Legion College 2012 -Present (Instructor and Provost); Oratorical 2016 -2021 (Chairman); Locustwood 2013 -Present (Chairman); Convention 2015 -Present; Convention Parade 2015 -Present (Vice Chairman) and on the Ad - Hoc Moving Forward Committee 2019 - Present.

He is currently serving as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the Department. During the last few years, he has worked to modernize the technology around our Department.

DANIEL DUNN

"GETTING IT DUNN FOR OUR VETERANS"

ROBERT NEWELL

RAYMOND MILLER

"AIM HIGH ABOVE ALL"

DARYL REID

ROGER GENGARO

MICHAEL BABLI

"VETS STILL SERVING AMERICA"

MICHAEL WILSON

JAMES AMOS

EUGENE O'GRADY

Service

US Army Veteran Combat Engineer, Lebanon Grenada Era

US Army Reserve Combat Infantryman SGT E-5

POST

33 year member of John Wesley Taylor Post #232 in Barnegat

5x Past Commander Post #232, 6x Post Finance and many years in various positions,   awarded life member in 2008

County

3x OC Vice Commander, 2X county Commander, 2x Ocean County Dept. Executive Committeeman

Chaired multiple committees and participated in all activities.

State

Dept. Scholarship Chair, Dept. Finance Chair, Dept. Vice Commander

Dept. Commander (Hurricane Sandy)

ANEC NJ 2021-2025

National

National American Legion College Graduate 2001 (Senior of NJ)

Many years on National Legislative Committee, Finance committee and the veterans Education and employment committee as member, vice chairman and presently serving as National Chairman Veterans Education and Homeless Committee.

Personal

Gene is married to his wife Sharon and has 2 children and 2 grandchildren.

All Family members are Legion family, Son in law presently 17 year active duty USAF.  Master Sargent.

HAROLD LIBERATORE

ROBERT LOOBY

BIO:

• Initiated and managed 75 Homeless Veteran Stand Downs, Career & Resource Fairs.

• Received 6 National Homeless Guty Veteran Outreach Awards.

• Mentored and facilitated the submittal of 2 employers, and their subsequent National Employer (Large) of the Year awards.

• Managed and conducted 16 Boots to Business Workshops with Syracuse University and the SBA.

• Raised and directly purchased $165,000 for all furnishings for a 44-bedroom homeless veteran new building addition at Veterans Haven South.  Subsequently, coordinated a total of $3,000,000 or donations for homeless veterans.

• Designed the NJ Incarcerated Veterans Initiative wherein 740 veterans have been assisted while still “behind the walls” with military discharges, VA registration, employment, housing and mentoring after release.

• Designer and Author of KOVA, (Keep Our Veterans Alive), currently the only NJ-wide veteran suicide awareness program.

• Receive two NJ Meritorious Service Medals, AUSA’s (Association of the US Army) Distinguished Service Award, as “#1 Veterans Advocate in the Northeast Region”.

• U.S. Army Veteran.

ROBERT PHILLIPS

RICHARD ZALINKANSKAS

FRANK CALANDRILLO Jr.

"Hitting Home Runs for Veterans" 

Bio: 

Legionnaire since 1971; PUFL

.Past Bergen Co. Commander 1997-99

.Past Dept Vice Commander 1999-2000

.Past Dept Commander 2007-2008

.Organized and Chartered Post 531, Mahwah in 2009

.Numerous Department and National Committees

.Involved with AL Baseball since 1997. Began as a League Chairman. Serving as Department Baseball Chairman 2010 to present; and currently a Baseball Consultant at National since 2018

CHARLES ROBBINS

38 year Member: Shore Boros American Legion Post #351

Department Level:

DEC: 1999-2005

Department Commander 2006-2007

ANEC: 2013-2017

NEC: 2017-2021

NVC 2024-2025

Department National Security/POW-MIA Co-Chairman: 1999-2005/2007-2012/2016-2018

Department Finance Committee Member: 1999-2005

Instructor: NJ American Legion Leadership College 1999-2005

Chairman: Department POW-MIA Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony 1992-2012

American Legion Birthday Luncheon Chairman: 2019/2023

Buddy Check/Be The One 1k Awareness Walk Chairman: 2020-2023

Member various committees at Department Level 1994-2018

National:

National Vice Commander 2024-2025

National Security Commission: (Council) 2004-2005/2007-2012

Alternate National Executive Committeeman: 2013-2017

Media & Communications Commission: (Council) 2013-2017

National Executive Committeeman NJ: 2017-2021

Media & Communications Commission: NEC Liaison Committee: *Chairman 2013-2017

Media & Communications Commission (Member) 2021-2023

Citizens Flag Alliance Advisory Committee: (Member) 2017-2021

*Delegate to the National Convention: 1999-2022

JOSEPH GUGLIUZZA

BIO:

Joseph M. Gugliuzza has been a member of The American Legion for nearly 40 years.  He originally joined Eatontown Post 325 in Monmouth County.  As a member of that post, he served as Finance Officer and Historian for several years.  He was elected Post Commander and held that position for eight years.  He was then appointed Post Adjutant and served in that position until the Post turned in their Charter three years ago.  He also served as the Post Oratorical Contest Chairman, Americanism Chairman and Safety Chairman.  He also served as Post Legislative Chairman

Joe was appointed as Monmouth County adjutant in 1997 and was elected County Third  Vice Commander in that same year and then moved up the chairs..  Joe was elected Monmouth County Commander and served 1999-2000.  In the county, Joe was appointed Legislative Chairman, a position he has held ever since.

In 2001, Joe was elected to the position of Department Executive Committeeman for Monmouth County.

He served in that capacity until 2005, when he was elected Department Commander. 

In 2019, Joe transferred to Neptune Post 346, after the Charter for his former post was cancelled, where he remains a member today and has been appointed as Post Judge Advocate. 

For the past eighteen years, Joe has served as the Department Legislative Chairman.  He has also been a member of the National Legislative Commission, as well as Vice Chairman for the National Legislative Council. Joe was appointed Convention Chairman last year and has been a member of the Convention Committee for over 10 years.

JAMES VIALARD

MARSHALL BEHR

WILLIAM B. MACK

DANIEL MCCOLE

CLIFFORD R. GRIFFITHS

BERLEY HANNA JR

Berley Hanna, Jr.

Biography

Berley Hanna, Jr. joined the Naval Reserve during high school with a buddy at the age of 17 on August 1, 1962, and honorably discharged in 1968.  His active-duty tour was served aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS Wasp CVS-18 Boston, Massachusetts.  Aboard the Wasp he worked in the “Ice Machine” crew and made Machinist Mate 3rd Class Petty Officer.  They were responsible for the ship’s refrigeration, chilled water systems and air conditioning. 

Berley was employed by Merck & Co. Inc. for a period of 39 years, retiring in 2006.  During his Merck career he was an active OCAW Union Representative. He was elected to several positions, including Steward, Committeeman, Treasurer, Recording Secretary and Vice President.

After trade school graduation as an electrician, he joined the American Legion James E. Mackie Post 499 (Union County) in 1977 and immediately became active within the Organization.  He attended American Legion College Basic; Advanced; Service Officer; Club Management; and National Extension Institute Courses.

He is a Life Member of the American Legion and has proudly served for over 46 years!  He has held every position in his Post, including Post Commander and is presently serving as Adjutant.  He is a Past Department (State) Commander 1999-2000, Department Vice Commander, Union County Department Executive Committeeman, County Commander, County Vice Commander, County Sgt-At-Arms, County Adjutant, and currently serves as Union County Finance Officer.

He chairs Post 499’s Annual Unsung Heroes Program. The Unsung Heroes Program is a Memorial Service honoring Civil War “Colored Troops” (USCT) who are buried in Rahway Cemetery, NJ.

Berley currently serves as Vice President of the New Jersey Boys State Trustee Program.  He has served on the NJ American Legion Boys State Program for over 30 years.

He also serves on the NJ Governor’s State Veteran’s Council as Past Chairman, and he is the liaison to the Facility Council to Veteran’s Memorial Home in Menlo Park, and past liaison to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial & Museum, Holmdel, New Jersey.

On the National Level of the American Legion, he serves as a member of the Media & Communications Commission, he now serves as the liaison for that committee.  He served as New Jersey National Executive Committeeman (NEC) 2021-2025.  

Berley and his wife Janet are the proud parents of two children, five grandchildren and four great grandchildren. 

LEO MCKERNAN

THEODORE HOWARTH

WILLIAM RAKESTRAW

FRANKLIN R. SICKLE JR.

GEORGE WM DIEM

JOSEPH ENGLISH

JOSEPH LYNCH

E. FRANK CARTER

WALTER KUZBYT

WILLIAM N. SHIPLEY

RALPH STONE

TIMOTHY P. CARMODY

GEORGE HIMMEL

GEORGE E. SAMPSON

JOHN E. HEIN

MICHAEL PASTUZYN

JOHN M. NEAFSEY

MARGARET M. MALONE

MARLIN T. MONROE

LAWRENCE LUTERMAN

ANTHONY LORI

EUGENE HOWELL

LESTER HARRIS

Frank Riccardi

James H. Hall

W. ROBERT BOHN

Albert M. Robotti

Frank Piampiano

Walter P. Kuhner

Joseph F. Ward

JACK KUEPFER

JAMES WEST

Albert J. Moeller

Joseph P. Hanrahan

William R. Huggard

Stephen B. Lopes

Franklin R. Sickle

Henry W. Ryan

Murell N. Woolman

EDWARD WYSOCKI

Ralph A. D'Olivo

George D. Town

Warren R. Davies

Harry N. Weeks

DON HART

Arthur W. Mazowiecki

RAYMOND CLYONS

William C. Doyle

EDMUND LYONS

Hon. C. Conrad Schneider

Harry V. Groome

Halsey W. Stickel

Joseph G. Carty

Dr. Samuel A. Loveman

Joseph C. Fitts

R. Graham Huntington

Aaron Smith

Leo E. Honore

Roy E. Anderson

John A. Whomsley

Albert E. McCormick

Lester G. Block

Dr. J. Iredell Wyckoff

WILLIAM REAGAN

John E. Cash

C. RICHARD ALLEN

C. Richard Allen

Joseph H. Edgar

W. Rex McCrosson

THEODORE CHRICHTON

Hon. Richard Hartshorne

Col. Herbert H. Blizzard

George Flemming

Hon. John Grimshaw Jr.

Frank A. Matthews Jr.

A. Eugene Pattison

Hon. Phillip Forman

Alan Bruce Conlin

Joseph D. Sears

Leonidas Coyle

HOBART B. BROWN